Two new Model 10s

[Marko Kloos]

Since everybody these days wants either tactical plastic or Magnums made out of styrofoam, there are plenty of abandoned and neglected old .38 Special steel frames around.

This weekend, I acquired not just one, but two S&W Model 10 revolvers, a 3" heavy barrel and a 2" nickel version.

The 3" HB has a bit more wear on it, with a few honest wear scuffs and some finish wear at the muzzle, but it shoots like a million bucks. With 158-grain lead wadcutters, I ate the center out of the target at both 21 and 50 feet.

The 2" nickel round butt was a range loaner, but it cleaned up very nicely. It came with gigantic Pachmayrs which were promptly replaced by the rosewood splinter grips off an older M65LS, and a worn-in Tyler T-Grip adapter.

I won't show a picture of the 3" HB M10 yet, since I had to put Hogue Bantams on it temporarily. It was wearing factory splinter grips and a Tyler, but I had to borrow the grip screw to pretty up the 2" M10, and I don't have another grip screw for factory K-frame grips around.

The M10 is just a neat, functional, solid, and dependable gun. It's not very tactical, but it'll get the job done just fine.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Marko My Friend-

Congrat's on the find! That sure is a nice looking 2" model 10.
I also was lucky enough to find one of these last fall ('04), for a
song and dance (NO, not really); but at a great price ($150 OTD).
It had served as a home D' weapon for years, and was in need of
a good cleaning. I brought it home, gave it a bath and lube job
then added it too my collection. The serial looks as if it was made
between late '72 or very early '73. I added a set of new Pachmayr
Compac Professional grips, and it really looks good~ Enjoy!

 

[LAH]

To defend my hairless head in a split second, heart pounding, frighten very white, maybe done been kicked or hit with a bat, I'd take a M-10 over any wonder nine ever made. Besides they're a lot better looking, JMHO.

 

[HSMITH]

Wow, nice scoop Mark. BIG M10 fan here too, unfortunately I haven't been able to find them priced right lately.

 

[hnm201]

Are you carrying Silvertips with that short barrel? is that a bianchi pistol pocket?

 

[armedcitizen]

Very nice.

I carried a 4" Model 10 for several years as an armed security guard and it always drove tacks at qualification time.

 

[Moonclip]

Neat, I've been looking for a 2" 10 and 15 for a while now. I have the alloy frame 2" mod 12 but I want something more durable for extensive plinking. Are they the most concealable or "tactical" things out there? No but they are fun to shoot and are still a good gun for many people.

 

[Shear_stress]

Beautiful! Love those k-frame snubbies. Looking forward to the pictures of the 3".

 

[Stainz]

I bought a new 2" 10, made 1/03 according to S&W, from CDNN just over two years ago - the best $280 I've spent! Mine is +P rated - a call to S&W with your SN's will reveal whether yours are. The +P 158gr LHPSWC 'FBI' load makes 834 +/- 5 fps from my 2" 10. They make 912 +/- 16 fps from my 3" 65, probably similar from your 3" 10, if it is +P rated. It is plenty potent as a PD round, in either case. The 10 hits coincident POI/POA at 12yd, where the 65 is 1-2" low. Great guns!

Stainz

 

[bakert]

I have a 4" slender barreled model 10 made in 1969 that I bought used some years ago. Was advertised as a confiscated gun resold by a Police Dept. A bit dinged up on the outside with bluing wear but tight. After a good cleanup it's been one of my favorite revolvers. I still carry it at times because I seem to shoot that old model 10 as well or better than any hand gun I have to 7 to 10 yds. It aint fancy or high tech but with 6 Win .38+P LSWCHPs I consider myself well armed.

 

[cookekdjr]

The M10 is just a neat, functional, solid, and dependable gun. It's not very tactical, but it'll get the job done just fine.

If it gets the job done, its "tactical" enough for me.
The M&P is my favorite gun by far. I bought a stainless Model 10 (64-5) yesterday. Actually, I traded a guy a 65-3 for a guy's 64-5 and $50. I just love .38 special for some reason, and his was a beauty and very accurate. I wanted a stainless PD trade-in, and he wanted a little more oomph to drop the hogs on his property, so we both walked away happy.
Beautiful revolver you found, by the way. I can't wait to see the 3" version.
Happy shooting,

David

 

[armoredman]

Very nice sir! I would never feel underarmed with a good Smith Model 10, preferrably a 3 inch, with good ammo. They are sometimes so cheap as to be almost criminal to not buy!

 

[Checkman]

The Model 10 was considered to be a tactical handgun back in the day. Minimum protrusions to snag on clothing, fixed sights, middling weight, a fast to deploy handgun, accurate and mechanically reliable. And remeber that for a long time the 38 was considered to be a good "combat" round. Many still consider it be a good self-defense bullet. What more can you ask for in a "tactical" handgun?

I own two myself. A fifteen year old Model 10 with the 3" barrel and a ninety-two year old Military and Police Model 1905 3rd change with a six inch barrel. Both are great shooters.

 

[hnm201]

Indeed.

Here's a pic of my tactical Model 10.

 

[ruger357]

Nice snub.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Are you carrying Silvertips with that short barrel? is that a bianchi pistol pocket?

The 2" M10 is loaded with Speer's "short barrel" 135gr. Gold Dot +P load, while the 3" M10 is stoked with 158gr. LSWCHP +P.

I carry Silvertips as reloads because the aluminum-washed lead does not tarnish or rub off in the pocket.

Yes, that's a Bianchi #3S "Pistol Pocket".

Here's a picture of the 3" M10:

 

[Pistol Toter]

Anybody that bad mouths a S&W model 10 needs his head examined. Mine will group 2" or better POI / POA at 25yds all day.

 

[cookekdjr]

That is a beautiful 3" Model 10.
Enjoy!
-David

 

[P. Plainsman]

I've got a new new Model 10 (a 10-14, produced in late 2004) and while the finish isn't as sweet as the nickel and blued ones posted here, it is a darn solid sixgun.

First, I put a Hogue cocobolo K-frame grip on it (top groove stripe cap). The dark-streaked auburn wood looks nice against the revolver's businesslike black finish.

Next, I had my gunsmith give my Model 10 a serious "target" action job plus an overall tuning and tightening. Kind of a funny approach to take to a fixed-sighted 4" barrel workhorse, but I wanted to see what could be made of the current incarnation of this classic design.

Tell you what. At the range last week I unpacked the Model 10, loaded it with Federal 130 grain FMJs, took a deep breath, aimed, slowly pulled the smooth, easy DA trigger. The Model 10 placed five rounds into a neat little necklace about 2" long, running from just inside the "8" on the small Shoot-N-C target to a couple of millimeters west of dead center "X". Offhanded at 15 yards.

I know many here can do that in their sleep, but folks, that was some fine sixgun shooting for me. Signed the target and took it down. Proceeded to print some more good targets in the course of a sunny afternoon. Isn't the .38 Special a delightful cartridge?

I officially declare my new new Model 10 a shooter.

 

[texagun]

I have carried a Model 10 on and off for years. I generally carry Mag-Safes in the summer months, and 158 gr. LHP's in the winter months. Never have felt under-gunned with it.

 

[texagun]

A Model 10 with a 4" barrel makes a nice bed side table gun.

 

[Moonclip]

I have much more "tactical" guns and I'm in the "gen X" demographic but I still find myself slipping my Mod 10 in my pocket sometimes.

 

[PlasticPistolPacker]

Exposed Hammer :drool:

 

[P95Carry]

I really, really, really, really, really, want a M10 with heavy barrel - Marko - nice find

Did I say - I'd love an M10 heavy barrel

 

[bakert]

Hey texagun, that looks just like mine with the same grips. The finish on mine not as well kept though.